Vision of Bellarine’s planning future released for comment

THE long-awaited future planning vision for the Bellarine Peninsula is finally out for public comment.

The Bellarine has been declared a state significant Distinctive Area and Landscape (DAL) recognising its environmental, landscape and cultural attributes, as well as its importance as a key tourist destination.

Originally supposed to be produced within 12 months of the DAL’s gazetting, the draft Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) missed the October 29, 2020 deadline – which the Victorian Government attributed to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic – as well as a handful of other predicted dates of release, and was eventually published online on June 29.

The draft SPP sets a “50-year vision for protecting areas for conservation while providing long-term certainty for investment”.

It proposes protected settlement boundaries for all towns on the Bellarine Peninsula.

According to the maps in the document, small growth areas are earmarked in Drysdale/Clifton Springs, Leopold, Ocean Grove and St Leonards but not in Barwon Heads, Indented Head, Point Lonsdale, Portarlington or Queenscliff.

A protected settlement boundary is also proposed for the parts of urban Geelong that border the western boundary of the declared area, including Moolap and the Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Area.

“Protected settlement boundaries will be needed for these areas, to ensure the green break between urban Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula is preserved and significant landscape and environmental values are protected,” the draft SPP states.

The strategic planning document will guide the future use, development, and management of land within the declared area, including strategies for conserving waterways, landscapes and other environmental and cultural heritage features, reducing emissions, and restoring habitat.

Based on expert advice, the draft SPP has been developed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in collaboration with the Traditional Owners, the Wadawurrung and local councils.

The vision, objectives and strategies within the SPP seek to provide greater recognition of the connection and stewardship of the Wadawurrung regarding land in the declared area.

“The draft SPP clarifies where sustainable development can occur on the Bellarine Peninsula, while ensuring long-term protection of all the things that make the region such a wonderful place to live, work and visit,” Member for Western Victoria and duty MP for Bellarine Gayle Tierney said.

“We know how much locals love the Bellarine Peninsula and rightly how protective they are of its beautiful towns and landscapes.

“That’s why this is such a great opportunity to get involved and have a say.

“Stronger protections for the significant environmental and cultural attributes right across the Bellarine Peninsula means it will be a place that people will continue to want to visit and continue driving tourism and the economy.”

Public consultation is open until August 20. For more information, download the draft SPP document or make a submission, head to the Engage Victoria website.